My fil has melanoma that has spread to his lymph nodes and possibly his lungs - we will find out soon about that. Once we find out, what are some questions about different treatment options we should ask? He is 80 yrs old.

By Karen~admin on Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 04:18 pm:

Colette, I am not *real* familiar with metastatic melanoma, but I AM familiar with lung cancer. His treatment options depend on many things, including, but certainly not limited to:

*the stage of his cancer (I would guess Stage III or IV, since it's metastasized to lumph nodes and possibly lungs)
*the extent to which it has spread (# of tumors or lymph nodes involved)
*his overall general health and condition now

Obviously, you need to know the staging. Has he had a PET scan? CT or any other scans?

There are different types of melanoma too - do you know which one he has? That affects the prognosis - also, I believe mets to the lungs have a more favorable prognosis than mets to the liver.

Sometimes the affected lymph nodes can be surgically removed, and then radiation and chemotherapy are often options. As far as the lungs go, again, dependent on where the tumors actually are and how many there are, surgical removal of lung tumors is probably not a possibility at his age.

Questions you guys should ask:
*What stage is it
*What type of melanoma is it
*Exactly how far as it spread
*What diagnostic test can be done/should be done
*Depending on the extent of metastasis, what options are there - surgical, or radiation or chemotherapy or a combination
*Prognosis

I know very often with metastatic cancers, the treatment is considered palliative and focuses on quality of life.

I am sorry. Cancer is an ugly disease.

:-(

By Kaye on Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 04:23 pm:

Well, each case is different and his age will play in to things. The things I think of, are surgery, to remove parts of the lung, or lymph nodes, there is radiation which can shrink tumors (i am not sure if this is used for lung cancer). Mostly I would think chemo is what they will do.

Questions I would ask...are their foods he should avoid during treatment, should we start a high calorie diet now (weight loss is a common side effect of chemo), how weak will this make him? Will the treatment be via IV or by mouth? If it is by IV will they run his blood counts first before the meds, if they are low, then what will they do. Are there vitamins or supplements he should start taking now?

I know you know this, but once cancer has metasized it is very strong. This doesn't mean it isn't beatable, but it will be a hard fight. They have to use stronger meds, more often and really hit it hard. This takes a toll on a body. I think preventatively, everything he can do to keep himself in good health now is good, make sure he eats and eats well, make sure he is getting a little exercise, to help keep muscles strong, and mostly be there and pray and don't make rash decisions. Anytime a doc suggests stuff you can always ask, what are our other options? What happens if we wait? Sometimes docs are so pushed for time they don't realize it takes some time to think over decisions.

By Yjja123 on Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 04:45 pm:

No info here but I wanted you to know that you and your FIL are in my thoughts and prayers!

By Tunnia on Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 05:06 pm:

I don't have any answers to your question, but I do want to let you know that your fil, as well as your entire family, will be in my thoughts and prayers.

By Karen~admin on Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 05:40 pm:

Kaye has some good questions. Don't be afraid to ask questions!! I'd suggest making a list as you think of things, and let whoever will be going to the doctor with him take the list. It's always helpful to have at least one family member with the person at the doctor's office, because when you are feeling overwhelmed with information, you don't always remember everything you have been told.

And again, register him with Chemo Angels! Keeping a positive attitude/keeping your spirits up during treatment is most important, and they will help him do just that.

Something I've been hesitant to say - many docs will recommend any and every treatment they can get their hands on, and sometimes it's not the best option for the patient. In other words, if you have a limited amount of time left, and a doctor wants you to undergo treatments that are going to make you so sick you have no quality of life, then is it worth giving up that time when you could possibly feel better and spend it with your family?

There are many things you will all have to make decisions about, but you need more answers first.